2025 NHL Draft eligible forward Reschny named Kal Tire WHL Rookie of the Week
Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today that Cole Reschny of the Victoria Royals has been named Kal Tire WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending December 31, 2023.
The 16-year-old led all rookies with two goals and three assists in three games as Victoria went 2-1-0-0 for the week.
Reschny kicked off post-holiday hockey with a goal and assist against the B.C. Division rival Vancouver Giants. The Macklin, Sask. product deked past a Giants defender on the powerplay and fired his 13th goal of the season far side to open the scoring. The Royals would strike on another man advantage as Reschny was denied on the backhand and Escalus Burlock tucked the rebound home. Victoria would go on to a four-two victory with Reschny earning first star.
Reschny was held off the scoresheet as the Wenatchee Wild snatched a 3-2 victory the following night but roared back with a goal and two assists against the Edmonton Oil Kings on December 30. With Edmonton leading 1-0, Reschny nearly leveled the game but rung one off the crossbar. He’d eventually earn a secondary assist by setting up Justin Kipke in a scramble play in the Edmonton zone. The Oil Kings would seize a 3-2 lead midway through the third period and 50 seconds later, Reschny found the equalizer flying down the left wing and ripping one glove side. In overtime, Reschny dished for Justin Kipke on a give-and-go play that saw the defender bury the game-winner on the backhand.
The 5-foot-9, 161-pound centreman is currently third in scoring among rookies with 14 goals and 19 assists for 33 points in 33 games.
Reschny was selected by Victoria in the first round, third overall in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft and is eligible for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. He represented Canada for the first time with Team Canada Red at the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, where he potted three goals and five assists in seven contests en route to a fifth-place finish.
Victoria (23-13-0-2) sits second in the B.C. Division and is 8-2-0-0 in its past ten games.
Reschny and company kick off a five-game eastern road trip against the Regina Pats (13-18-4-2) on January 6.
2023-24 WHL Rookie of the Week
December 18, 2023: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars
December 11, 2023: Max Curran, Tri-City Americans
December 4, 2023: Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Cougars
November 27, 2023: Ethan Eskit, Brandon Wheat Kings
November 20, 2023: Dakota MacIntosh, Moose Jaw Warriors
November 13, 2023: Ben Kindel, Calgary Hitmen
November 6, 2023: Ethan McCallum, Medicine Hat Tigers
October 30, 2023: Julius Miettinen, Everett Silvertips (NHL CSS: C)
October 23, 2023: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars (NHL CSS: B)
October 16, 2023: Ty Coupland, Swift Current Broncos
October 10, 2023: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars (NHL CSS: B)
October 2, 2023: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars (NHL CSS: B)
September 25, 2023: Oscar Lovsin, Wenatchee Wild